Lemon grass / fever grass
Quick Facts
- What it is: A lemon-scented tropical grass, known in West Africa as fever grass, drunk as a leaf tea and used as an essential oil.
- Main uses: Fever and colds, Upset stomach, Evening calming tea, Mosquito repellent
- Active ingredients: Citral (geranial and neral), Myrcene, Limonene, Geraniol, Luteolin
- Forms: Fresh stalks and leaves, Dried leaf and tea bags, Essential oil, Capsules and tinctures, Soaps and sprays
- Time to effect: Minutes for the comfort of a hot drink; no proven effect beyond that.
- Side effects: Tea is usually well tolerated; the concentrated oil can burn skin and is dangerous to swallow.
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What is Lemon grass / fever grass?
Lemon grass is a tall grass with a sharp lemon smell. Across West Africa it is often called fever grass. In Yoruba it is koriko oyinbo.
The leaves are boiled to make a tea for fever, colds and stomach upset. The same plant flavours food across the tropics. A very strong essential oil is also steamed out of the leaves.
The honest verdict: human evidence is thin. Long traditional use is not proof of effect, and not proof of safety. The tea is mild; the pressed oil is much stronger.
How does Lemon grass / fever grass work?
Most of what is known about lemon grass comes from the lab, not from people.
In test tubes, lemon grass oil slows the growth of some bacteria and yeasts. Citral is the main compound behind that. Whether this happens in a person's mouth, gut or skin is not established.
In animals, leaf extracts have lowered fever, pain signals and markers of swelling. Animal work also points to lower blood sugar and lower blood fats. None of this has been confirmed in good human trials.
The calming feel of a hot cup may owe much to warmth, smell and habit. Human testing of that effect is very limited. No proven mechanism in people has been shown for any medical use.
What forms does Lemon grass / fever grass come in?
Most people meet lemon grass as fresh or dried leaves for tea.
- Fresh stalks and leaves: sold in markets, used in cooking and in home teas.
- Dried leaf and tea bags: the usual shop form.
- Essential oil: very concentrated, made for scent and diluted skin use, never for swallowing.
- Capsules and tinctures: sold as supplements, with little testing behind them.
- Soaps, sprays and candles: used for scent and to keep mosquitoes off.
Strength varies hugely across these forms. A cup of tea is mild. A few drops of oil carry far more citral than a whole pot of tea.
Where it comes from:
Lemon grass came from South and Southeast Asia and spread through the tropics with trade. In West Africa it settled into gardens, farm edges and compound yards.
The English name fever grass points to its main traditional role. Leaf tea was drunk during fevers, including the fevers of malaria. Steam from the boiling pot was breathed in for colds and blocked noses.
Healers also gave the tea for stomach cramps, poor sleep and after childbirth. Caribbean, Brazilian and Ayurvedic healers used it in much the same ways. These uses were handed down by practice, not tested the way a modern medicine is tested.
Who should avoid Lemon grass / fever grass?
- Never swallow lemon grass essential oil, and never give it by mouth to a child.
- Never put undiluted essential oil on skin.
- Do not use lemon grass in place of malaria treatment, and do not delay a malaria test because of it.
- Do not drink medicinal-strength lemon grass tea if you are pregnant, as it has been linked in animal work to effects on the womb.
- Avoid concentrated extracts and capsules while breastfeeding.
- Do not use it if you have ever reacted to lemon grass, citronella or other grasses with a rash or wheezing.
- Do not start daily strong tea if you take insulin or other diabetes medicine, unless your doctor agrees.
- Avoid supplement doses if you have liver disease (lasting damage to the liver) or kidney disease, unless your doctor agrees.
- Avoid supplement doses in the two weeks before surgery, because of possible effects on blood sugar and drowsiness.
- Do not give lemon grass supplements or oil to infants.
When should you see a doctor?
Stop and get medical help the same day if you have a fever that lasts more than three days. Do the same for fever with chills and sweats in a malaria area.
See a doctor promptly for yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, or ongoing belly pain.
Get emergency care now for trouble breathing, wheezing, or swelling of the face, lips or tongue. Also get emergency care if anyone swallows the essential oil, especially a child.
Is Lemon grass / fever grass legal where you live?
In the United States, lemon grass is accepted by the FDA as a food flavouring and is sold as a food and supplement. In the UK and EU it is sold as a food and herbal tea. No country licenses it as a medicine for any illness.
Evidence grades and traditional-use labels are explained in our methodology. Nothing here is medical advice.
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